Retinol
Sold in serums and creams. Skin converts it in two steps to the active form, which makes it gentle and slow. Good for people who want a mild start or cannot tolerate tretinoin. Results take six months or more.
Tretinoin
Already the active form. Works directly. Prescription only. Faster and stronger results for acne, pigmentation and lines, with a more noticeable adjustment period.
Who Picks Which
Sensitive skin, rosacea-prone or just curious: retinol. Acne, dark spots, visible aging and patience for six weeks of adjustment: tretinoin. Many people graduate from one to the other.
Cost
Drugstore retinol runs $15 to $80. Prescription tretinoin is $39 a month at Zen IV Spa, with a provider to adjust strength.
Common Questions
Can I use both?+
Pointless; pick one.
Is adapalene (Differin) tretinoin?+
A different retinoid, gentler, available over the counter, good for acne.
Will tretinoin thin my skin?+
It thickens the living layer and thins only the dead outer layer. The 'thinning' idea is a myth.
All treatments are medical services. Every guest is screened, and every treatment is provided only under the clearance, prescription or standing protocol of a licensed medical provider. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or a promise of results. For an emergency, call 911.